Sikeston High School juniors to take ACT exam for free

SIKESTON — Juniors in the Sikeston R-6 School District will not have to worry about the cost of taking the ACT test.

The Sikeston Jaycees recently donated $5,000 to help cover the expenses of the testing, continuing a program that began several years ago when the State of Missouri decided to pay for every junior in the state to take the exam.

Due to budget constraints, the state stopped funding the program after two years. Sikeston R-6 then approached the Sikeston Public Schools Foundation and asked them to pay for the testing, which happens each spring.

In 2019 the SPS Foundation paid for the junior ACT testing with the help of money donated from Janice Matthews. Testing was canceled in 2020 due to COVID-19.

Each ACT test costs $55 and there are approximately 220 students in the junior class. The high school counselors and administrators encourage all juniors to sign up to take the test.

While regular ACT testing is conducted on Saturday mornings throughout the school year, the special all-junior ACT exam is given during the school week.

“Testing through the school week eliminates the need for students to find transportation to take the test on a Saturday,” said Amy Blanton, executive director of the SPS Foundation. “The students are also able to test in a familiar environment during a normal school day.”

Tiffany Morgan, academic leader and assistant principal at Sikeston High School, said the testing being given to the group during the school week is a benefit.

“The students seem to be more relaxed when taking it with all their peers and don’t have to worry about how to get to the test the morning of the ACT,” Morgan said. “In addition, we are blessed with four ladies who provide the students with ACT prep classes along with tutoring sessions days or weeks prior to the exam to help them prepare for test day.”

Blanton said academic coaches work with students to develop strategies and to expose them to the exam so that they are familiar with it and prepared for exam day.

The prep work has paid off as two students have scored a perfect 36 on the exam when taking it with the entire junior class.

“The junior class ACT gives all of our students the opportunity to be prepared for additional coursework after high school,” Blanton said. “The goal of the district is to identify and help our students to select the most successful route for them after they leave high school. The SPS Foundation is thankful to be a part of making our students successful adults.”

Blanton was quick to thank the Jaycees for the donation.

“The Jaycees are dedicated to our community and its citizens,” Blanton said. “They work hard all year to put on a successful rodeo. The proceeds from the rodeo benefit a variety of organizations in our community. We would like to thank the Jaycees for investing in the future of Sikeston Public School Students by investing in the SPS Foundation.”

Morgan also was appreciative for the donation.

“We are grateful to the Jaycees and everyone who has donated money to help fund the ACT for our juniors,” Morgan said. “This is a great opportunity for the students and we appreciate everyone who supports our students.”